Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1887-02-10

In the house, a resolution has been In
PRODUCED and referred reciting that In view
Of the rumor that Great Britain will short
y send feet OF war ships to aid the mari
time provinces, our own defenseless har-
bors, and the fact that Canada and
Great Britain are in possession of charts
OF our harbors, the pre- ident be requested
rs commandments chief OF the army and
navy, TO inform the house what steps, in
his Judgment, are necessary to meet this
emergency.
While there is little immediate prospect
of war with England over the fishery ques-
ton army officers located in Washington
offensive and defensive condition as II
there were. 1t Is generally agreed among
experts that cities on the Canadian bor-
der-such as Detroit, for instance-would
be the first to feel the supremacy OF Eng
lands navy. England has III light gun
boats. The feet has for some time past
been lowering in the vicinity of Bermuda
Since the commencement OF the ifs leries
imbroglio six light British gunboats have
been ordered to New Brunswick. The en-
tire fleet OF Ill gunboats could navigate
the St. Lawrence as far as Kingston. The
canals built around the rapids in the st.
Lawrence would enable the fleet to reach
the lakes All that the United States have
to oppose them is the decrepit old gunboat
Michigan. These facts are having their
effect on Michigan members of congress.
They are pretty generally in favor OF the
United States government building up a
suitable navy with the least possible delay.
Whether these ''rumors of war" are we'll
founded or not, they evidently have some
effect, for since they became rite the naval
subcommittee on construction has reached
an agreement which will doubtless receive
the approval Of the full committee looking
to an appropriation for the constru ction
OF two 4,OC0 ton cruisers OF the Newark
type; five LOO ton gun boats patterned
after gun boat No. |, and three sea-going
torpedo boats. There is an intention on
the part of several members of the COM
mittee when the construction bill Is
reached in the house to move an increase
OF the appropriation so as to provide for
the construction of at least three yes sells
in addition to those already described.
The supreme court has just rendered q
decision in q case of interest to every
clerk of the United States court in that it
involves his right to retain Office fees.
The case comes up under an appeal from
the circuit court of Massachusetts. The
original action was brought by the United
States against G. III. Hill clerk of the
United States district court, who had col
lected certain fees for naturalization
papers. The United States sued to recov-
er these fees. The court held that they
belong to the clerk and the United States
supreme court affirmed the decision
The house committee on invalid pensions
has reported bill granting pension to
Walt Whitman and returned with adverse
recommendations the senate bills granting
pensions to the widows OF Gen. Logan and
Gen. Blair. These bills were placed on the
private calendar and the friends of the
bills will spare no efforts to have them
passed. The argument used by the mem
bers of the committee opposed to the pas
sage of the bill for Mrs. Logan, is that IL
congress should pass the bill and establis h
this precedent it would increase the pen
sion roll S345, 600 annually. The democratic
members cannot see the justice in grant
ing his widow pension when she is not in
want. The republicans of the committee
dissent from these views, and urge that
the cherished companion Of Gen. Frank +.
Blair, who saved Missouri to the Union"
and the widow of the brave and gallant
Logan be tenderly cared for as long as
they live.
The recapituation OF the debt statement
issued on the LIST inst, shows that the in
terest bearing debt is 81, 1877, 2i9532: debt
on which interest has ceased since matur-
ity, $7,5l4,l liz; debt bearing no interest
$3.50, IS o, 1873; total debt with interest, Sl,-
134. ls3, 7s3; total debt less available cash
Feb. /, 81 1882, 46S, 500; decrease of debt dur
ing the month. $9,5l5,000 The outstand-
ing bonds at ~ per cent. are 81, OOO, 700,
at per cent are 1881, 7e6, 600, at 3 per cent.
are $63, 0B,0O0.
Debate on the retaliation bill has been
postponed for a few days owing TO the
absence Of Chairman Belmont, who was
summoned to New York by the death Of
his brother Chairman Belmont has in
his possession all the papers and data
upon which the committee were to have
anfad nd hanra M ha mazda
until he returns.
The discussion of the bill amending the
rules and articles of war called up the
amendments recommended by the house
military committee, which excited much
criticism, the principal point Of attack be-
ing the section providing that the pay
Of officers upon the retired list shall be
rs per cent. of the full pay they were en-
titled to receive when retired, and no
more. In lieu OF this section, Mr. Bragg
Of Wisconsin, on behalf Of the commit
tee offered proviso that hereafter no in
crease of pay shall be allowed or paid to
any officer by reason OF service on the re.
tired list. Mr.. Bragg said that the retired
list was the pension list of the regular
serving on that list for five years an in
crease Of 10 per cent. in their pay. Mr..
Weaver of Iowa gave notice that 1t would
take a quorum to pass the bill as long as
IL contained the brutal provision that de-
serters should be branded with the letter
"D.n In view of the fact that there was
no quorum present Mr.. Bragg withdrew
the bill.
President Cleveland sent to the senate
the other day long communication re-
garding his distribution of the testimonials
of the preservation of the survivors of the
Jeanette expedition.
The bill appropriating $4,000 for special
distribution of seeds in the drouth strick-
en- district of Texas has passed the senate,
and also the sundry civil.bil
The house refused to pass over the presi-
dents veto the bill granting pension to
Carter W. Tiller, who claims to be the de-
pendent father Of a soldier who died in
Andersonville prison. The presidents
veto is based on the belief that Tiller Is
neither deserving nor dependent.
Mr.. McAdoo Of New Jersey introduced q
bill in the house the other day to provide
for the manufa cture by Americans OF first
class modern guns for the navy and sea
coast defenses. The bill which has been
referred to the committee on military at
fairs, appropriates the modest sum OF 500
100000.
The bill to prohibit the appointment Of
congressional committee to attend funer-
ais outside of the District of Columbia
at the public expense, and also to prohibit
the draping of public buildings in mourning
except on the order oil the pre- sident, receiv-
ed an airing the other day In the house, and
afforded an opportunity for little spec
making. The bill did not pass, however,
but was relegated to that receptacle for
SO many matters, the table
The house committee on territories has
favorably considered the bill for the or
ganization of the territory of Alaska.
The bill provides for the establishment Of